Daily Chess Puzzle

Today’s problem is what I regard as my prettiest combination of the last season. Not a quick mate, but nice, at my level of strength, to play it in a classical time limit game. i.e. real chess, as opposed to my normal 3 minute internet blitzing.

As is my custom, I only say which side is to play: and not giving an idea if the move wins or otherwise, unless on occasion I think signposting would be helpful. Instead, the problems are posed with the instruction to decide what you would play, as in a game.

Black to play

Mckie v Beardsworth, East Cheshire v Stockport, 24th April 2019

Solution

1…Kf2! and White played 2 Be8 (2 Re1+ Kg3 was better, with best play the position gets to a Q+P ending, which an engine would win, but my nerves would have been shredded).

2…Ra1 3 Ra1[] Ra1 4 Ka1[] Kg2

5 Bd7[] Kh3 6 Bf5+[] Kg3

and Black wins the pawn ending after 7 Bg4 h3 8 Bh3[] Kh3

The combination will never appear in a magazine, but I was pleased to accurately calculate a long, albeit forced, line.

FEN

r3b3/8/8/r3ppp1/Bp1p3p/1P1PkP1P/1KP3P1/R2R4 b – – 0 57